Toronto
How to get around efficiently with clear cost comparisons.
You'll find that navigating Toronto's transport system can be challenging, but with the right tools, you'll be on your way. Most newcomers start by purchasing a Presto card at Union Station for $6, which can be used to tap on every TTC subway, streetcar, and bus, with a monthly pass costing $156. Watch out for the need for a car, as it depends heavily on your neighbourhood and job location - if you're downtown or midtown, you may not need one. You can also use the UP Express train from Pearson Airport to Union Station, or take a streetcar, such as the 501 Queen route. To get started, head to Union Station today to purchase your Presto card and begin exploring the city's transit options.
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Union Station · Experience date Jan 15, 2026
Got a Presto card at Union Station for $6. Load it and tap on every TTC subway, streetcar, and bus. Monthly pass is $156 for unlimited TTC. GO Train to suburbs uses Presto too.
Midtown · Experience date Mar 15, 2026
Toronto Islands (Ward's Island, Centre Island, Algonquin Island) are a 10-minute ferry from the downtown Jack Layton Ferry Terminal (foot of Bay Street). Year-round access: ferry runs daily from 6:35am to 11:30pm (reduced winter schedule). Ferry fare: $9 return adult (included in day passes). The islands offer: beautiful views of the Toronto skyline, quiet parks, beaches (swimming June–September), and a small residential community. Ward's Island beach is particularly popular with expats for summer swimming and picnics. No cars on the islands — cycling and walking only. Centre Island: more family-oriented with amusement park. One of Toronto's best free/cheap summer experiences.
Scarborough · Experience date Feb 3, 2026
Toronto's cycling infrastructure is improving but significantly behind Amsterdam or Berlin. Dedicated bike lanes: along major routes (Bloor Street, College Street, Danforth Avenue, Richmond/Adelaide in downtown). Bike-sharing: Bike Share Toronto (Citi Bike system, $105/year for unlimited 30-minute rides or pay-per-use). Private bike: buy at MEC (Mountain Equipment Company), local bike shops in Kensington Market, or Facebook Marketplace ($150–350 for a solid used commuter). Lock: absolute necessity — invest in a good U-lock (Kryptonite Evolution, $70–90). Toronto cycling challenges: aggressive drivers, streetcar tracks (danger like Amsterdam trams), and potholed side streets. The lake-front trail (Martin Goodman Trail) is excellent flat cycling along Lake Ontario.
Scarborough · Experience date Feb 25, 2026
Navigation for the first week: Google Maps works excellently in Toronto for transit, walking, and cycling. TTC official app: real-time subway and bus tracking, service alerts. Uber: indispensable for first week before you learn the transit system. Key transit hubs to know: Union Station (subway, GO Train, UP Express — the main hub), Bloor-Yonge Station (Line 1 and Line 2 interchange, central), Spadina Station (subway and streetcar interchange). Toronto grid: downtown streets run east-west (King, Queen, Dundas, College, Bloor) and north-south (Yonge — the main north-south spine, Bay, University/Avenue Road, Spadina, Bathurst). Most streets have clear signage — Toronto is easy to navigate.
North York · Experience date Dec 17, 2025
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) connections: UP Express (Union-Pearson Express): train from Terminal 1 to Union Station in 25 minutes, every 15 minutes, $12.35 CAD (cheaper with Presto). The best option. Subway+bus: take 192 Airport Rocket bus from Terminal 1 or 3 to Kipling station (TTC), then Line 2 subway — cheaper ($3.30) but 1 hour total. Taxi: fixed $56 to downtown. Uber: $40–55, no fixed rate, potential for surge. Billy Bishop (YTZ): downtown Island Airport for Porter Airlines and Air Canada regional — take the pedestrian tunnel or water taxi from downtown. YTZ is much closer to downtown — 5 minutes via tunnel vs 45 minutes for Pearson.
North York · Experience date Apr 19, 2026
Uber and Lyft both operate extensively in Toronto. Prices: city centre to midtown $12–18 CAD, airport (Pearson YYZ) to downtown $40–60 CAD. Wait times: 3–6 minutes downtown, 6–10 minutes in outer areas. Surge pricing: Friday and Saturday nights (10pm–2am) and rainy weather. Uber is slightly more used than Lyft in Toronto. Bolt: no longer operating in Toronto (exited 2022). Taxis (Beck Taxi, Diamond Taxi): increasingly displaced by rideshare, but available via their apps. Pearson Airport taxi: fixed rate $56 from airport to downtown — compare with Uber before assuming it's more expensive. Transit vs Uber: for the majority of downtown trips, subway is faster and far cheaper — Uber for after-midnight, airport, or outer suburb trips.
Midtown · Experience date Dec 10, 2025
Ontario driving licence conversion: UK, US, France, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Switzerland, and many other country holders can exchange directly without re-test. Process: visit a DriveTest Ontario centre, surrender foreign licence, pay $158.25 CAD (licence + knowledge test exemption). Bring: foreign licence, passport, proof of Ontario address. Takes 30–60 minutes. Countries without reciprocal agreement: must complete full Ontario licensing process (G1 knowledge test, G2 road test, G road test — takes minimum 2 years for full G licence). International Driving Permit (IDP): allows driving in Ontario with your foreign licence for 60 days after arriving — useful bridge period while sorting your Ontario licence.
Scarborough · Experience date Feb 3, 2026
Toronto cycling hazards specific to the city: Streetcar tracks (same as Amsterdam tram tracks — cross at 90 degrees, never at an angle, or your wheel catches and you fall). Dooring (car occupants opening doors into cyclists): ride 1 metre from parked cars — a significant risk on non-protected bike lanes. Potholes: severe in spring (after freeze-thaw winter) and side streets — scan ahead continuously. Winter cycling: black ice is invisible on roads in November–March — take an extremely cautious approach. Right-turn trucks at intersections: stay out of trucks' blind spots. Toronto Cycling Coalition: advocacy group that publishes the best safe-route maps and holds skill-building workshops — useful resources for new Toronto cyclists.
Union Station · Experience date May 4, 2026
Toronto's streetcars (operated by TTC) run on dedicated tracks on major downtown streets. Key routes: 501 Queen (longest streetcar route in North America — across the city east to west), 504 King (through the Entertainment District and Liberty Village), 510 Spadina (to Union Station from Spadina subway), 509/510 Harbourfront (to Exhibition Place and Harbourfront Centre). Streetcars board from: dedicated boarding platforms in centre of the road (not the sidewalk) — watch for the platform when getting off. Doors: rear doors open with Presto tap or push button. Warning: never overtake a stopped streetcar from the right — pedestrians boarding from the centre platform are crossing your path.
Scarborough · Experience date Nov 22, 2025
Do you need a car in Toronto? Depends heavily on your neighbourhood and job location. If living downtown or midtown with a TTC-accessible job: no car needed — most errands, social activities, and transit are covered. If living in Scarborough, North York outer areas, or suburban GTA: car significantly improves quality of life. Driving in Toronto: grid pattern, mostly straightforward. Rush hour: Highway 401 is one of the world's busiest highways — avoid 7:30–9:30am and 4:30–7pm. Parking downtown: $4–8/hour in lots, $3–5/hour on street (meters). Street parking permits for residents: apply at your local city hall. Car insurance in Ontario: among Canada's most expensive ($150–300/month for average driver).